To mark its 50th year, BIRKENSTOCK revisits the Boston clog’s history through some of its most recognized releases, showcased in a rare archive collection.
The BIRKENSTOCK Boston turns 50 this year, and the German footwear brand is marking the occasion with an archive collection that pulled together some of the most sought-after editions of the clog since its 1976 debut. The anniversary collection, which went on display in Makati’s Power Plant Mall from June 12 to 14, 2026, spanned decades of collaboration and seasonal releases that trace how a shoe originally adopted by medical professionals became a fixture in fashion circles.
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From The BIRKENSTOCK Archives
The lineup included a Manolo Blahnik version in deep purple velvet with crystal-encrusted buckles; a BEAMS collaboration that takes the shoe’s signature geometric outsole tread and prints it as a graphic across black suede; and a rare early-2000s Heidi Klum limited edition that reimagines the clog in patchwork pony hair. A collaboration with The Shoe Surgeon wraps the upper in black python leather with custom silver hardware, while the Magritte Eye edition—part of a surrealist-inspired capsule—prints the Belgian painter’s eye motif across a black Birko-Flor upper.
The original Boston was designed by Karl Birkenstock and introduced a flexible cork-latex footbed at a time when clogs were built on heavy wooden platforms. That single distinction set the template for every closed-toe shoe the brand would make afterward, and eventually inspired later silhouettes including the Tokio, Naples, and Amsterdam.
What the archive collection makes legible is how much the Boston’s appeal has always rested on its structure rather than its surface. The silhouette, with its seamless leather upper, closed toe, open heel, and single strap, is specific enough to be immediately recognizable across any material or collaboration, but neutral enough to absorb dramatic re-workings without losing its shape. Over five decades, that quality has made it a reliable canvas for designers across very different aesthetics.
The BIRKENSTOCK Boston Finds Its Creative Community In Manila
In Manila, the Boston has found a foothold in the local creative community that reflects a broader shift in how the city dresses. In a tropical climate long dominated by open sandals, the closed-toe clog has become a go-to for designers, artists, and independent creatives.
The archive display runs alongside a comprehensive look at the shoe’s construction, including its cork-latex footbed, which BIRKENSTOCK still manufactures in Germany and which remains the foundation of every pair the brand produces.
Photos courtesy of BIRKENSTOCK
Frequently Asked Questions
The Birkenstock Boston is a closed-toe clog known for its cork-latex footbed, open heel, and adjustable strap.
The Birkenstock Boston turns 50 years old in 2026, marking five decades since its debut in 1976.
The original Boston was designed by Karl Birkenstock.
Collaborators featured in the archive collection include Manolo Blahnik, BEAMS, The Shoe Surgeon, and Heidi Klum.
The Boston inspired later Birkenstock silhouettes including the Tokio, Naples, and Amsterdam.
